HRM Report: Graduate Employability Skills and Analysis

This report presents a student's self-assessment and analysis of graduate employability skills within the context of Human Resource Management (HRM). The report details the student's engagement with self-reflection exercises, including logical reasoning and personality tests, to identify strengths and areas for development. It explores the application of these insights to career planning, specifically referencing a Graduate Business Analyst position advertised by SBC. The student outlines personal attributes and employability skills, comparing them to job requirements and formulating strategies for professional development, such as enrolling in courses and improving communication and networking abilities. The report incorporates findings from interviews and provides a comprehensive overview of the student's journey towards enhancing their professional competencies.

Running head: HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
Graduate employability skills
Name of the student:
Name of the university:
Author note:

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Table of contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................2
Self-reflection exercises.............................................................................................................2
Logical reasoning...................................................................................................................2
Personality test.......................................................................................................................3
Preparation for assessment.....................................................................................................4
Self-confidence test................................................................................................................4
Observing others....................................................................................................................6
Personal attributes and employability skills...............................................................................7
Professional development......................................................................................................9
Summary..................................................................................................................................15
References................................................................................................................................15
Bibliography.............................................................................................................................18

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Introduction
Self-reflection is needed for building the skills, capabilities and competencies of the
students. This reflection is vital for enhancing the understanding regarding transfer of the
skills in order to fill the gaps and incompetencies. Systematic approach in this context is
fruitful for upgrading the employability skills. Viewing from the other perspective, this self-
reflection helps in detecting the areas, which needs to be improvised (Clarke, 2018). The
process of reflection is also assistance towards detecting the opportunities, which can be
availed for attaining the professional development. This assignment sheds light into the
personal skills, abilities and competencies, which needs to be analysed for reaching to the
professional development.
Self-reflection exercises
To enhance the awareness about personal skills, abilities and competencies, self-
assessment exercises have been developed under the section of ‘Your Career and You. This is
an initiative of the Australian government, where the focus is on the upgradation of the
capabilities and competencies of the students (Graduatecareers.com.au, 2019). This is
through the means of graduate jobs, programs, internships, opportunities and connections. As
a matter of specification, the typical self-assessment tests include personality tests, IQ tests
among others. The results of the tests are vital for future career planning.
Logical reasoning
After undertaking the logical reasoning tests, I found that it is very time consuming
and requires high level of understanding. High level of concentration is also important for
gaining a proper understanding of the problems. This approach is fruitful for me in terms of
achieving relevant solutions. This tests can be attempted when there is adequate time and
there is no other urgent tasks, which needs to be accomplished (Sumanasiri, Yajid & Khatibi,
2015). The results helped me to detect the areas, where my understanding was weak,

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resulting in the production of incorrect answer. This explanation acted as a justification for
my incapability towards answering the questions correctly.
Personality test
Fig: Results of the personality test
According to the results, I have got highest score in the attributes of agreeableness,
which reflects my lack of logical reasoning and thinking before attempting the allocated tasks
and responsibilities. However, I am sceptical, proud of my skills, abilities and competencies
and prefer competition over cooperation. This approach of mine contradicts kind,
compassionate approach, which is needed for adjusting in the workplace environment. I
found that this test is effective in terms of detecting the strengths, which govern my
personality. The scores indicate the extent to which I need to improve on the weaknesses.
One of the interesting aspect of the test is the understanding of the scores and its
intensity ranging from very low to very high. The tests is also assistance in terms of detecting
the strongest personality test, which I think is necessary for measuring its impact on
behaviour, motivation, values and reactions.
Through the personality test, I gain capability in terms of assessing whether my
personality is stable and is governed through the properties and mechanisms. I found that this
personality tests acquaints me with the key determinants of my personality, which is needed

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for bridging the differences. Along with this, I also felt that this test is necessary for detecting
my response towards the cultural influences.
Preparation for assessment
‘Your Career and You’ is an effective exercise in terms of enhancing the awareness
towards preparing for the assessment in an efficient and effective manner. The crucial
elements to be considered in this context are practice, rest, trust, practicality and
underestimation (Graduatecareers.com.au, 2019). I felt that the tests and exercises inspire the
candidates to upgrade the preconceived skills, abilities and competencies. Relaxed mind is a
crucial component for undertaking the tests. Trust and belief in self is vital for undertaking
the tests and the exercises. Failure and incapacity is bound to occur at the initial stage,
however, I felt that motivation and encouragement is needed for averting the instances of
deviation and distraction.
In the process of taking the tests, I found that practicality is an essential component in
terms of producing authentic responses. According to my observations, more practical I am,
the clearer would be my expression of the abilities and competencies. Underestimation
indicates my distrust over the capabilities and skills. Answering the exercise questions with
the disbelief is bound to deliver inaccurate results.
Self-confidence test
I also undertook the self-confidence test for gaining awareness to the extent to which I
am comfortable in dealing with the external challenges.

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According to the results, my score for self confidence is 41, which indicates a
satisfactory result in terms of recognizing the skills. I think the assertion that, belief in the
skills, abilities and competencies are essential, is apt for gaining control over the experiences.
This is time consuming, however, Matsouka and Mihail, (2016) states that practice is
needed in terms of improvising on the experience. Mention can be made of Bandura’s theory
of self-efficacy, which I think is essential for mastering on the improvisations. For this,
consideration of the past experiences is needed. I feel that past experiences are crucial for
upgrading the learning style and approach.
I have found that positive thinking and setting realistic goals are needed for enhancing
the self-confidence. El Mansour and Dean, (2016) is of the view that consideration of
Herzberg’s theory of motivation would be fruitful in terms of detecting the ways and means
through which my preconceived skills, abilities and competencies. I have learnt that
undertaking challenging and enduring tasks are one of the ways in which success can be
achieved. Prior to this, executing SWOT analysis is a wise option. I think emphasis on
improving problem solving and decision making skills would yield positive results in terms
of enhancing critical thinking. This approach would be helpful for me in terms of enhancing

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the confidence in the choices, which I make. Commitment is also needed for staying up to
date with the surrounding events and occurrence (Gill, 2018).
Observing others
Imitating others can be one of the means for improving believe in oneself. I felt that
role models are an agent in terms of providing inspiration regarding the exposure of hard
work. Here, mention can be made of the motivation, which is assistance in terms of
overcoming the external challenges and influences. Thoughts regarding similarity in the
thought processes enhances the influence on others. I think mentors are needed for getting the
proper guidance and support required for conducting proper career planning.
Stress is inevitable in any of the activities, be it self-assessment exercises, tests or any
other. For averting the stresses, optimistic approach is needed. Stress management techniques
can be adopted for altering the personality accordingly (Finch et al., 2016). If I am personally
satisfied, then I can undertake any task, irrespective of its intensity in terms of challenge. I
felt that exertion of power needs to be proper for yielding positive results. Evaluation is
needed for detecting the areas, which I need to improve for enhancing my personality to the
level of professional competencies.

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Personal attributes and employability skills
In the job advertisement provided by BBC for the post of graduate business analyst, I
found that the major role accountabilities are preparation of the project documentation,
analysis of the systems and business processes, making recommendations, replying to clients,
competency in using software, coordination and execution of the test plans. For this, the
qualifications and skills needed as follows:
 Fluency in written and oral English language
 Excellent analytical skills
 Spontaneity in learning and independent working
 Ability to submit the allocated tasks within deadlines
 Effective communication skills
 Sound knowledge of SQL reporting, Business Intelligence Reporting and regional
databases
 4 years’ experience in software testing, preparation of the test plans and functional
requirements
 Graduate degree in Information Technology or similar
Along with this, high organization skills, hardworking nature and challenging
approach is needed for averting the instances of negative outcomes. According to the
personality tests, my strengths are openness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion,
agreeableness and natural reactions. Among this, the highest score is that of the
agreeableness, which I think is necessary for accomplishing with the requirements.
According to me, this agreement is needed for averting the instances of conflicts,
differentiation of opinions, discriminations and others. I also think mutual understanding is
needed for negotiating with the supervisors. I can also make mention of the conscience,
which is needed for exposing logical reasoning towards executing the allocated duties and

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responsibilities. After undertaking the personality test, I have found that my score for
conscientiousness is 83, which I think would be modified, if I maintain consistency in
undertaking the tests. I can also mention the score of natural reactions towards the events
taking place in the surroundings. Here, I feel that control of the emotions is needed for
creating a positive image in the minds of the supervisors. This approach is fruitful for
enhancing the individualism (McCowan, 2015). On the contrary, if I see that something
wrong is happening, it is obvious that I would protest. Rationality and consciousness is
needed in this direction for exposing tactful approach. This approach would be beneficial for
adding flexibility into my employment purpose.
The lowest score is that of extraversion, which is accounted as 17. Here, I can relate
the challenge of public speaking. This issue reflects my incapability towards speaking in front
of the foreign delegates. On the contrary, the job requirements of Graduate Business Analyst
in SBC states that fluency in speaking and written English is needed. It can be an issue,
which I need to improve. I have decided to take admission in local Toastmasters club next
month for upgrading the communication skills, abilities and competencies.
The requirement also states that key skills of project management and preparation is
needed for this job. I possess accountancy skills, however, I think further improvisations are
needed in terms of reaching to the benchmark level of performance. For this, I have planned
to get enrolled in TAFE course next year. Along with this, I have also planned to conduct a
manual routine for accomplishing the tasks. I would allocate one hour for the tasks, which
would be fruitful for submitting the tasks within the stipulated deadline. According to my
other plans, I have decided to upgrade my networking skills. I lack acquaintance with many
people. Therefore, I have planned to conduct research for gaining an insight into the
organizations, where I would get a platform for enhancing my networking skills. After

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thorough research, I have found the organization, SBC, where I have applied for the post of
graduate business analyst.
Professional development
From the tests and exercises, I have found that the highest attributes is that of
agreeableness. This is followed by the attributes of openness, natural reactions, extraversion
and others. Among these, the areas in which I need to improve is that of networking skills
and communication skills, abilities and competencies. I have planned to enrol myself in
TAFE courses for enhancing the communication skills. I came across the advertisement
posted by BBC regarding the post of Graduate Business Analyst. I conducted face to face
interview with two of the managers of SBC Company regarding utilization of the skills. The
following are the details of the interview:
Times, places, organisations Sunday, 1st September 2019, sharp at 10:00
AM
Names of the people you will interview
and their roles in their organisations
Operations Manager of SBC Company
Explain how/why you chose these people I think managers are the agents, who would
cater to all my doubts by providing
authentic information about the recent
trends
Outline how you organised the contacts  Permission from the Directors and
the Board Panel
 Sending drafts for the meeting
stating the issue
 Signing the Ethical Consent Form

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 Signing the approval
 Briefing the date, time and venue of
the meeting
Your travel arrangements to attend the
meetings
Private car
Telephone contacts for the people you
will interview
123456789
Times, places, organisations Sunday, 7th September 2019, sharp at 10:00
AM
Names of the people you will interview
and their roles in their organisations
Human resource manager of Woolworths
Explain how/why you chose these people I think managers are the agents, who would
cater to all my doubts by providing
authentic information about the recent
trends
Outline how you organised the contacts  Permission from the Directors and
the Board Panel
 Sending drafts for the meeting
stating the issue
 Signing the Ethical Consent Form
 Signing the approval
 Briefing the date, time and venue of

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the meeting
Your travel arrangements to attend the
meetings
Rented car
Telephone contacts for the people you
will interview
0088-775-339
According to me, the meeting would help me to gain an insight into the current
selection and recruitment policies and methods. This insight, further, would be assistance in
terms of assessing whether my self-strengths, weakness, opportunities and threats. Moreover,
this assessment would enable me to evaluate the areas in which I need to improve. Herein, I
can correlate the activities of enrolling myself into TAFE courses, which would upgrade my
public speaking skills. I also feel that taking admission in the networking courses would be
beneficial for me in terms of improvising on the skills of software in SQL reporting, business
intelligence, regional database and others. As per my arguments, graduate degree in
information technology is advantageous in terms of availing the job.
Strategizing the activities by indulging in meetings with the managers of the SBC
Company would help me to reduce knowledge gaps. This is because the essential skills,
knowledge and expertise would be transmitted, supporting me to make their practical
application. I also feel that setting routines are necessary for segmenting them according to
the priority and urgency. Conscious approach in this aspect is always beneficial for averting
delays. Taking guidance from the seniors would be fruitful for finishing the important tasks
on a priority basis. One of the aspects in this case is setting time limits to the tasks, which
would enhance my self-confidence. At the initial stage, it is obvious that I would take more
time to complete the tasks. However, with regular practice, I can excel in upgrading the